The coach, as the professional athletic person in that young adult's life, is key to this effort because they see the student athlete at the moment the injury may have occurred causing a concussion. They are in a position of authority to have that young person removed from the field and assessed by a professional right there at the point where the game is still ongoing and make the necessary decisions to alert the family and get this young person to appropriate medical care.
Coaches are essential to helping young athletes who may have sustained a concussion get the appropriate care.
Posted on BrainLine May 5, 2011.
About the author: Marlena Wald, MPH, MLS
Marlena M. Wald, MPH, MLS is an epidemiologist in the Division of Injury Response in the National Center for Injury Control and Prevention (NCIPC). Her areas of research include acute care, traumatic brain injury, and substance issues related to both of these topics.
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